Dealing with winter

[nuthatch]

I've wasted so much money over the years trying to cut corners and buy a cheaper version of this or that, only to relegate it to the back of the wardrobe because it didn't do the job, and go out and buy that hideously expensive waterproof jacket anyway!

This is so true! I'm a born cheapskate and always go for what's on sale. Sometimes it doesn't matter, but when it's cold outside...that expensive stuff is expensive for a reason - it actually works! I've got a "back of the closet" section too.

[tattiefritter]

They do get pretty warm and they are "supposed" to be breathable, but they struggle when it gets warm or you are working really hard. They are a bit like ski gloves with a bit of insulation and a waterproof/windproof insert. I suffer from very cold hands so they are a godsend to me and one of my essential winter bits of kit along with my buffs, goretex boots and duvet jacket/windproof ear flap hat (for after the ride). In the colder months from end November - March, I find I wear them a lot, for commuting, night riding and MTB day rides, almost every ride in fact. When it warms up a bit, until about beginning of May, I will carry them with me on most rides in case it gets cold enough to put them on.

On long winter MTB day rides I'll take another less insulated but windproof pair of gloves with me as it can sometimes warm up quite a bit in the course of the day but they are there if it cools down again. On the road you may find them a bit warm as you will generally be moving faster (though windchill will be much greater) a second less warm pair of gloves may be useful for less baltic or still days. Though they are a little bulky I had no problem operating my STI levers with them.

I can't praise them enough as they keep my cold hands really warm. I bought these last year and this year's purchase of goretex boots has sorted my feet out (warm toasty feet - I never thought it was possible) I have been much happier doing winter riding.

If you tend to have warm hands they will be too much on all but the coldest days. If you have are like me and have fingers that freeze at the mere mention of the word windchill then they'll probably be really useful.

[SnappyPix]

Thanks for the info Tattie,

I suffer from Raynauds quite badly in winter, so overheating of my hands isn't usually a problem! I often have to bash them against the handlebars in a vain attempt to get the blood running to the fingers, but usually they're just numb, white and painful.
For commuting I often wear PI Lobster Gloves in really cold weather, but do find them quite bulky and not the most dexterous of gloves!

[DebW]

Do you cold weather riders get your insulation right before you leave home, or do you have to stop one or more times to adjust as you warm up? Personally, I'd rather start out warm enough to be comfortable at the beginning and then stop and adjust later than freeze at the beginning and hope I warm up. But I've always been a fan of the strip stop while hiking too.

[Surlygirl]

But I've always been a fan of the strip stop while hiking too.

Deb is there something you'd like to tell us. Sounds like my kind of hiking!

[CorsairMac]

Do you cold weather riders get your insulation right before you leave home, or do you have to stop one or more times to adjust as you warm up? Personally, I'd rather start out warm enough to be comfortable at the beginning and then stop and adjust later than freeze at the beginning and hope I warm up. But I've always been a fan of the strip stop while hiking too.

Depends on the ride - my bike commute is only 6 miles one way and downhill going to work so I'd Much rather start warm! It seems if I get cold or start cold, I'm not on the bike long enough to ever really get warmed up. My commute home is up a mountain so I always have to remember that and what direction the wind is blowing from and then try to dress a little cooler so I don't overheat going home. (course I have Yet to overheat in any temp under 40 degrees! LOL)

[nuthatch]

Today, I set out looking like the abominable snowman and my husband raised an eyebrow - being a cryptic guy, that was all he was going to say about me being overdressed. I was swimming in sweat by the time I got to work six miles later!

Once you start sweating, if it's really cold it's hard to stop and remove anything because that sweat will chill you down in a hurry. You can't evaporate before you begin to freeze (I just HATE that cold trickle!) Of course, this is moot if your kit really wicks well but it seems like some nooks and crannies are able to avoid direct contact with fabric.

Yesterday I did it right and was cold starting out and okay after about a mile. I never broke a sweat the whole ride (going turtle rate). I guess I would reluctantly advise starting out cold and not having to remove anything along the way because of the sweat factor (unless you're good at stripping really fast before you reach the sweat threshold!)

[DebW]

My ride starts downhill, so it's really miserable if I'm underdressed or not prepared for wind. I usually warm up about 20 minutes into the ride and stop to remove a layer. Surlygirl, I'm not really an exhibitionist on public roads (but if you hiked with me you might occassionally get an eyeful).

[DeniseGoldberg]

When it's cold out, I dress for the temperature and not for how I think I'm going to feel several miles down the road. I'd rather stop and shed some layers than risk being cold.

--- Denise

[JoHunter]

I have another positive vote for those Altura shield gloves. When out buying this cold weather kit I spotted them. I have ridiculously small hands so buying gloves is a nightmare, the small womens are a pretty good fit though (besides the pinky which is a knuckle or two too long for me). They are very warm indeed and totally cut through the wind. They allow for quite a deal of dexterity. The gel padding is a very nice touch, particularly at that thumb gusset. All in all I'm glad I spent the money on them, I had been tempted to buy Windstopper velo gloves but these fit much better and I'll inevitably use them while out and about as well.

I managed my first ride out in the cold the other day and it was great, I felt warm and it was nice to get out on the first good day we've had in a while. Some things that I'm saving up for now are the De Marchi Contour Windproof Jacket and some proper cycling tights.

[uk elephant]

I just had to share my experience of cold weather exercise after reading some of the other comments on this page.....

From years of experience hiking and skiing in Norwegian mountains, I have learned that to stay warm and comfortable and avoid hypothermia or frostbite the best option is as follows:

1. Dress warm so you are comfortable from the start. And wear lots of layers, with thermal underware nearest your skin, then wool (as many layers as needed to stay warm) then something windproof as an outer shell.

2. Start to shed layers as you warm up to regulate temperature.

3. Always (!) carry a dry set of thermal underware (top and bottom) to change into when you stop or get very sweaty. As soon as you stop moving, that sweat will cause you to freeze instantly no matter how many layers you wear on top. Quickly change into a dry undershirt and then put the wool layers back on top.

And I would strongly suggest carrying a dry change of undershirt even if you don't plan on stopping. You never know what might happen along the way. And always at least carry enough clothing to bundle up so you are comfortably warm without peddaling fast. Again, you never know what might happen along the way. I am speaking from experience here. I have survived skitrips, including long lunchbreaks, in -35C and been comfortably warm the whole way. It's a bit chilly when you strip off the sweaty top, but feels soooo nice and warm when you put a dry one on and layers of wool back on top.

Just had to share.....

[nuthatch]

I have survived skitrips, including long lunchbreaks, in -35C and been comfortably warm the whole way. It's a bit chilly when you strip off the sweaty top, but feels soooo nice and warm when you put a dry one on and layers of wool back on top.

Just had to share.....

WOW! Now that's REAL cold-weather survival!!

[JoHunter]

We've been having a bit of a cold snap up here in Yorkshire, and while it's only about 2 degrees C it's been absolutely gorgeous today, too nice NOT to go cycling. I'm happy to say I was very comfortable wearing my layers and gloves, even with the wind. Of course a nice warm drink when I get home as well. On days like this it makes you happy you're a cyclist I think